Background:
Centuries of abuse and neglect of the original inhabitants of what is now the United States has not ended. Our reservations are still like third world countries. When massive ice storms and high winds hit the reservations in the Dakotas mid January poor housing, weak heating systems, sparse cupboards, lack of warm clothing and health problems make it difficult to survive. Add to that a utilities infrastructure that was brought to its knees on the Cheyenne River Reservation when 3000 poles and power lines came down from 6 inches of ice weight also crippling the water system. Ongoing storm conditions hampered repair. The reservation has been without power since Jan. 21st and Federal funds are still weeks away.
Please recommend this diary to give more people a chance to help.
Important Update!
I have updates...
Rosebud
I talked with Sherry at St. Francis. They still have 3 families in need. A full order is $150, but they have set up an account so that people wanting to donate less can do so and as soon as enough comes in for an order, they will send it out.
If you call St. Francis, ask for Sherry or Patsy...they are the only two who can process this type of payment.
St. Francis Energy Co. 605-747-2542
Pine Ridge
I still have 16 names on Autumn's list. email me if you would like to help sponsor one (kentuckykatonkos AT gmail DOT com
by KentuckyKat on Thu Feb 04, 2010 at 01:59:01 PM PST
The new snow storm has hit the reservations in South Dakota!
The temperatures there can go below zero with the wind chill factor.
Many members of these tribes are trying to cope with no power for heat and they haven't had running water since Jan. 21st. Some water was restored on the Cheyenne River rez Feb. 3rd but pipes were broken in the meantime in many of the homes. Those folks have to stay in the shelters.
Six inch diameter ice from power line
explains devastating power outages.
Photo provided by Brenda Kleinjan, Director of Communications and Member Relations/Editor
for South Dakota Rural Electric Association
There are nine reservations In South Dakota. News reports are covering only two reservations, Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River.
Full size photo and courtesy of South Dakota Office of Tribal Government Relations
There has been massive support from Kossacks in keeping my diaries on the REC list and donating money and supplies. Federal help is slow to arrive and your help is still urgently needed to prevent homes from freezing and people going without water and food. The major news coverage is weak.
Please help me again today with your RECs and spreading the news.
Many thanks to the new volunteers (to be listed shortly) to help me with a new series of diaries that will focus on preventing suffering from disasters like this.
Below are links to my previous diaries that provide background on the reservations and descriptions of the current disaster and a summary of donation links we have collected.
January 29th,Friday's diaries:
Chris Rodda's originating diary Emergency Help Desperately Needed to Heat Homes on the Pine Ridge Reservation and mine a repost of the original.
February 1st, Monday's diary:
Emergency: Ice Storms Devastate Pine Ridge Reservation and Others
February 2nd, Tuesday's diary:
EMERGENCY: Summary of Dakota Rezs Ongoing Dire Situation
February 3rd, Wednesday's diary:
EMERGENCY: Updated Summary of Dakota Rezs, More Snow Coming
February 4th, Thursday's diary:
EMERGENCY: Updated Summary of Dakota Rezs, Please Help
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NEWS:
Tribe Prepares For Another Storm
With more possible severe weather predicted, Brings Plenty said they’re trying to prepare for the unknown....
[snip]
He issued a plea for donations of non-perishable food and bottled water as well as heating oil, propane, kerosene heaters and generators...
[snip]
Water has been restored in some areas, but others are still waiting on tests before the water is drinkable.
Brings Plenty said FEMA is on the ground and they’ve been there since Monday assessing damage.
From Aji's action diary today:
ACTION: S.D. Rez Weather ER - Media Contacts/LTE Template
From KentuckyKat's email:
Hi, my name is Sherry. I work for St. Francis Energy Co. I just wanted to thank you for the donations that have come in for propane. I wasn't sure what the donations were about until I got on the dailykos...
SUMMARY of IMPORTANT UPDATES added below:
New contacts added in the Rosebud section for power company donations.
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe now has an online donation link.
The (Archibald & Edyth) Bush Foundation has added another $25,000 in matching funds thru the South Dakota Community Foundation see more under Umbrella Groups.
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Rosebud Reservation
UPDATE FROM Kossack CARTER CAMP! Donations here help homes get their power turned back on since Feb. 2nd was cutoff day!
I spoke with a local company owner who agreed to take credit cards for propane delivery. She's also a local resident and one of the only native owned propane companies.
St. Francis Energy Co. 605-747-2542.
Patsy Valandra said she and her daughter Sherry will be answering the phone and she'll be working with community leaders to identify families in need and particularly those who need help but are ineligible for LIHEAP.
by cacamp on Wed Feb 03, 2010 at 07:28:20 AM PST
From KentuckyKat and boadicea:
I am trying to see if LIHEAP can set up a paypal account that we can use to donate.
We will continue to use Cherry Todd Electric of Mission, South Dakota (605)856-4416 Tell them to direct your donation to LIHEAP.
Ask for Samantha. URGENT! Yesterday was disconnection day, some families had their power cut your donation today will help a family get their power turned back on. Credit Cards ok.
Country Pride also does not want to participate.
Lacreek Electric will not be participating in the donation program.
If you can only donate by check which will be used for future propane deliveries and other necessities send a ck to:
LIHEAP, attn Eileen.
P.O. Box 430
Rosebud, SD 57570
Cks payable to: Rosebud Sioux Tribe LIHEAP
From SarahLee:
Monetary Donations:
Rosebud Sioux Tribe President's Office
P.O. Box 430
Rosebud, SD 57570
Monetary donations (checks only right now) can be made to help the various emergency programs - from social services to energy to the emergency preparedness program, which may be providing extra food or plowing roads to diabetics and those needing dialysis, etc. Monetary donations can include a note specifying how you would like the funds used.
The tribal chairman's office also accepts clothing donations.
Clothing is passed out to those who come into the offices in need or through the tribal social services office.
Clothing:
White Buffalo Calf Woman Society, Inc
291 N. Main
P.O. Box 227
Mission, SD 57555
605-856-2317
Paypal link at our outdated website: www.wbcws.org
Pine Ridge Reservation
Power:
Lakota Plains Propane Company
Pine Ridge S.D 57770
1-605-867-5199
Takes major credit cards and debit
Minimum ordering $120 for one weeks worth of propane
1.Call the company tell you want to donate to a Lakota family for heat.
- Tell them that you would like to donate to one of the names on the LIST.
Call Lacreek Electric Company at 800-655-9324 or 605-685-6581
You need to have a name of a needy family when you call. Please email KentuckyKat, she has the list of names from Autumn and you can be matched with a family.
Food:
There are three different food stores that will accept credit cards by phone. To help a family in need of food, call Autumn directly at 605-407-8487, and she will match you with a family and let you know which food store to call to put money on account in their name.
Clothing Donation:
(Clothing must be clean or it will be thrown away!)
Lakota Oyate Wakanyeja Owicakiyape
East Highway 18
IHS Compound, Box 604
Pine Ridge, SD 57770.
See changingwinds.org for addresses of other agencies participating in the Winter Warmth Drive for the people of Pine Ridge.
Special thanks to Autumn Two Bulls who has been our contact from Pine Ridge. Autumn is completely a first responder volunteer, she is not getting paid nor profiting from this effort. She knows her people well and has driven all over this vast reservation which is half the size of Connecticut to check on families in need and collect their names for the power companies. She is currently working on plans to bring solar energy to the Pine Ridge Reservation, and also the construction this summer of an entirely green homeless shelter -- projects that, when completed, will serve as a model for other reservations.
CHEYENNE RIVER RESERVATION
Here is a large excerpt from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe's disaster declaration:
Experts estimate it may be as long as a month before
all areas have electricity restored.
Donations Needed:
MEDICAL NEEDS: Dialysis Patients/Glucose Strips/Financial
Support for Hotels
* The dialysis patients have all been evacuated three
hours away to Rapid City, SD.
They are staying in hotels for at least a week and half,
probably longer.
The Tribe is looking into reimbursement sources from CMS
and IHS, but in the interim financial contributions are
needed to help the families pay for their hotel expenses
and food.
An account has been set up at Wells Fargo to help with
these expenses.
You can contribute at any Wells Fargo or send to the Rapid City branch.
CONTRIBUTIONS:
Wells Fargo
Cheyenne Dialysis Patients (c/o Dew Bad Warrior)
Acct. #: 5815904338
1615 N 7th St.
Rapid City, SD 55701
* Medical Items Need on the Reservation itself (shipping address
below):
* Glucose Strips
* First Aid Kits
* Children's Tylenol
* Children's Cough Syrup
NEEDED SUPPLIES:
Please forward to any
companies that manufacture these items that may
be of assistance.
* Non-perishable food
* Cots
* Heat sources (heaters & fuel)
* Camp stoves & fuel
* Light sources:
* Lithium 1, 2 and 3 batteries for law enforcement
* Lamps/Batteries/Lamp Oil
* Toiletries
* Toilet paper
* Paper products for the shelters
* Pampers/formula
* Hand/baby wipes/Hand sanitizer
FINANCIAL DONATIONS:
The Tribe has depleted its emergency budget with
the two blizzards that already hit the reservation since December.
It needs funds to help buy food and supplies for the community
and volunteers, to pay for gas and overtime for the workers,
to replace the motor at the water pump station that was
destroyed, etc.
Any financial donations are much appreciated.
The Tribe is also trying to set up on-line donations but
that may take some time. THEY'VE DONE IT!
Donate ONLINE to Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
WIRE DONATIONS TO:
Cheyenne River Sioux 2010 Disaster Account
Direct to: United Bkrs Bloomington ABA # 091 001 322
Beneficiary Bank: Account Number 250 3373
State Bank of Eagle Butte
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
Final Credit: Account Holder @ UBB Customers Bank
Account Holder: CRST 2010 Disaster, Account Number 103173
MAIL CHECK DONATIONS TO:
TO: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe/2010 Disaster Account
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman's Office
Attn: Ice Storm Emergency Fund
PO Box 590
2001 Main Street (Tribal Offices)
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
SHIP SUPPLIES TO:
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman's Office
Attn: Ice Storm Emergency Supplies
PO Box 590
2001 Main Street (Tribal Offices)
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
CHEYENNNE RIVER SIOUX CONTACTS:
Robin Le Beau, Chairman's Assistant c (610) 568-2101
Joe Brings Plenty, Tribal Chairman c (605) 365-6548
CRST Emergency Coordination Center (605) 964-7711 (7712)
CRST 2010 Disaster Relief Press Release, Background, Assessment and Public Service Announcement for local residents. Slide show of power line damage there.
Umbrella Groups
You can double your donation and use a credit card.
The (Archibald & Edyth) Bush Foundation is matching gifts to relieve suffering on SD Indian reservations following an ice storm that will leave many without heat, electricity and food for weeks. The Foundation will give up to $25,000 in 1 for 1 matching dollars.
The Minneapolis based foundation announced today that it will match gifts to Native Americans in Philanthropy which has created a special fund to assist the Cheyenne River Tribe of the Lakota Nation.
(You can donate here thru Native Americans in Philanthropy
Progress:
$3,766 (Jan. 31st)
$7,866 (Feb. 1st at noon PST before this diary) four hours later $8,781
$11,200 (Feb. 2nd AM)
$13,040 (Feb. 4th 10:58 AM PST)
$15,330 (Feb. 4th 2:38 PM PST)
$16,745 (Feb. 5th 11:12 AM PST) raised to date)
by Alice Olson on Fri Jan 29, 2010 at 05:54:39 PM PST
UPDATE FEB. 3rd 2:00 PM PST:
The Bush Foundation has added another $25,000 in matching funds thru the South Dakota Community Foundation As of this posting Feb.3rd at 2:00 PM PST they have $665 raised. Spread the word and let's see another DKos bump.
Progress:
$665 Feb. 3rd
$985 Feb. 4th 11:00 AM PST
$1,135 Feb. 4th 2:40 PM PST
$1,224 Feb. 5th 11:12 AM PST raised to date
The Native American Heritage Association (NAHA) (NAHA) is a very reputable organization with a 4 star rating from Charity Navigator, so if you're looking for a way that you can donate online, and want to be sure your donation is going to a legitimate charity, this would be the organization to send your donation to. NAHA provides food, clothing, heating assistance, etc., to the people on several South Dakota reservations.
Government Officials To Contact
Legislator Info gathered by KentuckyKat:
Sen. Tim Johnson
Democrat
E-mail: tim@johnson.senate.gov
SH-136 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4104
(202) 224-5842
(202) 228-5765 Fax
Senator John Thune
383 Russell
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-2321
Fax:(202) 228-5429
Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin
Democrat
U.S. House of Representatives
WWW Home Page: http://hersethsandlin.house.gov/
1504 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
phone: 202-225-2801
fax: 202-225-5823
Contact Governor Rounds
Office of the Governor
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
605.773.3212
email link here
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Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
http://indian.senate.gov/...
Democrats only
Byron Dorgan, Chair, ND
1-800-666-4482 only in ND
Contact Form:
http://dorgan.senate.gov/...
Kent Conrad ND
1-800-223-4457 only in ND
Contact Form:
http://conrad.senate.gov.contact
Tim Johnson SD
1-800-537-0025 only in SD
Contact form:
http://johnson.senate.gov.contact
Maria Cantwell WA
1-866-648-7328 only in WA
Contact form:
http://cantwell.senate.gov.contact
Jon Tester MT
Contact Form:
http://tester.senate.gov.contact
Tom Udall NM
Contact Form:
http://udall.senate.gov.contact
Al Franken MN
Contact Form:
http://franken.senate.gov.contact
(H/T CuriousBoston)
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White House info (H/T DeepHarm)
To send an email message, go here.
To telephone or FAX:
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
To use TTY/TDD:
TTY/TDD:
Comments: 202-456-6213
Visitors Office: 202-456-2121
To send traditional mail:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
(Please include your e-mail address)
More:
The Native American Advocacy Program (NAAP)
Not so much for emergencies, but they help our tribal members with disabilities.
302 East 2nd Street
P.O. Box 527
Winner, South Dakota 57580-0527
Phone: (605) 842-3977
==========================
National:
Native American Rights Fund
"Our Mission: preservation of tribal existence, protection of tribal natural resources, promotion of Native American human rights, accountability of governments to Native Americans, development of Indian law and educating the public about Indian rights, laws, and issues."
http://www.narf.org
E-Mail: pereira@narf.org
1712 N St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-785-4166
Fax: 202-822-0068
From Winter Rabbit's kickass diary.
See also Ojibwa's diaries on our history.
If you have 1 hr. 20 min. there is a excellent PBS doc about Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge reservation, We Shall Remain, Wounded Knee, Episode 5. (H/T exmearden) It features Kossack Carter Camp throughout and gives an important history lesson about his people, AIM and the struggle that continues today to retain the culture. (Our own Meteor Blades spent 51 of the 71 days of occupation inside with Carter Camp and the rest of AIM.)
Many, many thanks to KentuckyKat for helping me put this together and to all the others in the comments helping us research.
Remember it is URGENT to get financial help to these tribes, please help.
Please leave us a comment if you were able to donate.